Furniture system and carrier structure for a furniture system

ABSTRACT

A furniture system comprises a carrier structure and a mounting element for an appliance, wherein the mounting element may be hinged into the carrier structure via a slot-shaped opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a furniture system, in particular a kitchen furniture system, and a carrier structure for a furniture system.

The appearance of a kitchen depends on the extent to which and on the complexity the used furniture may be adapted to the various kitchen appliances of various manufacturer that are used, to their dimensions and form factors, as well as to the individual desires of a user.

A furniture construction system is known from DE 20 2006 018 692 U1 having subcomponents that may be assembled by means of a common connecting fitting, wherein the connecting fitting is completed by a shaped component that has the characteristic of a tension tool, a covering cap and a shelf carrier. However, it is also required for this system that the subcomponents are adapted individually with respect to their dimensions to the kitchen appliance that is to be installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention, to suggest a furniture system, that enables installation of various kitchen appliances in an aesthetically appealing fashion, wherein the to be suggested system shall further be characterized in that it enables the exchange of a kitchen appliance by an appliance with different structure shape as easy as possible without the need that changes on the supporting structure of the furniture system become necessary.

The inventive furniture system includes a carrier structure and a mounting element for appliances, wherein said mounting element may be hinged via a slit-shaped opening into said carrier structure. The principle the invention is based on is therefore utilization of mounting elements that are provided independent from the supporting structure of the furniture system and may be exchanged if necessary. The mounting element may be adapted individually for each appliance so that the constructive changes with respect to the furniture system are restricted to the exchange and the modification of the respective mounting elements, respectively, in case that an appliance is to be exchanged. In particular, also the mounting of the mounting elements and therefore of the appliance on the carrier structure by means of the slit-shaped opening is unitary, constructional simple and may be designed independent from the appliance.

The slot-shaped opening shall not be restricted to particular openings. It is essential that it enables in each case a solid mounting of the mounting elements and the appliances on the carrier structure, respectively. A slot-shaped opening in the sense of the present invention is an opening that is in one spatial direction substantially more distinctive compared to a second. Preferably, the slot formed by the slot-shaped opening extends substantially perpendicular to the surface delimited by the slot-shaped opening, or to that surface of the mounting element upon which the slot-shaped opening is formed.

In an embodiment of the invention the mounting element comprises an opening for receiving the appliance. For example, this opening may comprise dimensions identical to the outer dimensions of a hearth, so that it may be received in the opening substantially form-locking. Preferably the opening is further formed in such a way that an end face of the appliance is aligned with an end face of said mounting element.

Preferably, the slot-shaped opening extends substantially horizontally. Thus, for example, it is possible in this embodiment that a board, for example a kitchen work plate is received in the slot-shaped opening substantially form-locking in order to achieve in this way mounting of the mounting element on the carrier structure.

Depending on the embodiment the mounting element may be substantially ashlar-formed, wherein in mounting position, that is with the carrier structure being hinged into said mounting element, the slot-shaped opening extends parallel to an ashlar surface. It is further preferred that the slot-shaped opening is positioned decentral, that is positioned nearby an ashlar surface. Thus, it is for instance possible that the substantial part of the mounting element extends in mounting position underneath an upper edge of the carrier structure. The upper edge may be formed, for example, by a kitchen work plate.

In case, that the substantial part of the mounting element extends in mounting position thereof underneath an upper edge of the carrier structure, it is envisaged according to an embodiment of the invention that in the mounting position of the mounting element the opening for receiving an appliance is located underneath said upper edge of the carrier structure. In this way, for example, an oven may be located as usual underneath a kitchen work plate. At the same time that part of the mounting element which is arranged above the upper edge of the carrier structure may be formed to receive one or more hot plates. In other words a mounting element according to the invention may be formed in such a way that as usual an arrangement of hot plates is located above an oven, wherein on the other hand an oven is located underneath the kitchen work plate and the hot plates are located above the kitchen work plate.

In an embodiment of the invention, the carrier structure comprises a desktop that may be received in the slot-shaped opening at least in sections.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a carrier structure for a furniture system, comprising at least three table legs and a connection frame wherein said table legs are formed as cross profiles having two profile shoulders that face each other and expand at a profile end to form an edge run of said connection frame, and having two further profile shoulders oriented perpendicular to an inner surface of said connection frame, wherein one of said two further profile shoulders abuts on said inner surface of said connection frame.

For connection of said connection frame with said table legs, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that said connection frame comprises a lug having a groove, wherein said lug extends substantially parallel to said inner surface of said connection frame and wherein said expanded profile shoulders may be received between said inner surface of said connection frame and said lug, in such a way that one of said further profile shoulders impinges said groove.

The inventive carrier structure for a furniture system may be combined with any module that receives the connection frame at least in sections form-locking. The connection frame therefore comprises a double function. Beside the arrangement and mounting of the table legs, the connection frame, more precisely and outer surface thereof, is formed in such a way that it permits that any module is received at least in sections, provided that the module is formed at one side that is turned towards the connection frame in an appropriate way for the form-locking receipt of the connection frame. Thus, it is for example conceivable that the module is a desktop, a shelf-board, a kitchen work plate, a cabinet module or a kitchen module with utility sink and/or hearth. These are, however, only a few examples and the described module may not be restricted thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details of the invention are explained based on the figures. Therein shows:

FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of an inventive furniture system;

FIGS. 2 a-2 c a mounting element with slot-shaped opening;

FIGS. 3 a-3 b table legs of an inventive carrier structure;

FIGS. 4 a-4 b table legs that are connected via a connection frame;

FIG. 5 a first embodiment of an inventive module;

FIG. 6 a carrier structure according to the invention with a utility sink module;

FIG. 7 a carrier structure according to FIG. 6 with a cabinet module; and

FIG. 8 a further embodiment of a carrier structure according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a furniture system according to the invention with two carrier structures 1, a mounting element 2 and a module 14. The mounting element 2 is hinged into the carrier structure 1 via two slot-shaped openings 4. Further it may be recognized that the mounting element 2 comprises an opening 5 for receiving an appliance 3, here, an oven. The slot-shaped opening 4 extends substantially horizontally and the mounting element 2 is ashlar-formed, wherein the slot-shaped opening extends in the shown mounting position parallel to an ashlar surface. The slot-shaped opening 4 is arranged near by an ashlar surface so that the major part of the mounting element 2 extends in the shown mounting position underneath an upper edge of the carrier structure 1. It may be recognized that the opening 5 is arranged for receiving the appliance 3 underneath an upper edge of the carrier structure 1. The carrier structure 1 includes a desktop 6, that is received at least in sections in the slot-shaped opening 4. Thereby a substantially form-locking and non-positive connection between the mounting element 2 and the carrier structure 1 is obtained.

The further carrier structure 1 with the utility sink module 14 includes four table legs 7 and a connection frame 8 wherein the table legs 7 are formed as cross profiles. It may be recognized that the utility sink module 14 does not cover the connection frame 8 completely. Rather, the connection frame 8 is exposed in a middle area and may take over the function of a railing. This may serve, for example, to set aside a towel. It is also conceivable that the railing serves for the attachment of hooks. The railing extends according to the connection frame 8 form-locking inboard with respect to the utility sink module 14 what moreover results in an attractive appearance.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c show different views of the mounting element 2 according to the invention. In the perspective view according to FIG. 2 a the slot-shaped opening 4 as well as the opening 5 for receiving an appliance may be recognized. The ashlar-shaped base form of the mounting element 2 as well as the fact that the slot-shaped opening is arranged near to an ashlar surface, wherein the opening 5 is located underneath a lower limit of the slot-shaped opening 4 may be gained from the side view 2 b. On a surface of the mounting element 2, hot plates 15 are recessed. FIG. 2 c shows a front view of the mounting element 2. In the survey of FIGS. 2 a to 2 c it becomes clear that the mounting element 2 according to the invention is formed constructively simple.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show table legs 7 according to the invention. These are formed as cross profiles wherein two profile shoulders expand at a profile end to form an edge run of a connection frame which is not shown. Further profile shoulders 10 are oriented perpendicular to the expanded profile shoulders 9 as well as to an inner surface of a connection frame which is not shown.

In FIGS. 4 a and 4 b table legs 7 according to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are connected with each other via a connection frame 8. It may be recognized that the expanded profile shoulders 9 form the edge run of the connection frame at an inner surface 11 thereof. The further profile shoulders 10 are oriented perpendicular to the inner surface 11 of the connection frame 8, wherein one of the profile shoulders 10 abuts to the inner surface 11 of the connection frame.

An exemplary embodiment of a module 14, that is a desktop or a work plate, is shown in FIG. 5. It may be recognized that the module 14 is formed at least in sections in order to receive form-locking a not shown connection frame of an arrangement according to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b.

FIG. 6 shows a carrier structure 1 according to the invention wherein the connection frame 8 receives a utility sink module. The same carrier structure 1 could also receive a plate according to FIG. 5 or a cabinet module according to FIG. 7. For that purpose merely the utility sink module according to FIG. 6 would have to be lifted up from the connection frame 8 and would have to be substituted by another module 14.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the carrier structure 1 according to the invention. Also this one includes four leg stays 7 that are arranged to one another via a connection frame 8. It becomes clear that for the exchange of the appliance 3 by one with different dimensions merely the frame 8 as well as the boards 16 would have to be adapted.

The reference numerals employed in the drawing figures are as follows:

-   1 Carrier structure -   2 Mounting element -   3 Appliance -   4 Slot-shaped opening -   5 Opening for receiving an appliance -   6 Desktop -   7 Table leg/leg stay -   8 Connection frame -   9 Profile shoulder -   10 Further profile shoulder -   11 Inner surface of the connection frame -   12 Lug -   13 Groove -   14 Module -   15 Hot Plate -   16 Board

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 

1. A furniture system, including a carrier structure and a mounting element for an appliance, wherein said mounting element may be hinged into said carrier structure via a slot-shaped opening.
 2. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein said mounting element comprises an opening for receiving said appliance.
 3. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein said slot-shaped opening extends substantially horizontally.
 4. The furniture system according to claim 3, wherein said mounting element is substantially ashlar-formed, wherein in mounting position said slot-shaped opening extends parallel to an ashlar surface.
 5. The furniture system according to claim 4, wherein said slot-shaped opening is arranged nearby an ashlar surface.
 6. The furniture system according to claim 2, wherein the major part of said mounting element extends in mounting position underneath an upper edge of said carrier structure.
 7. The furniture system according to claim 3, wherein the major part of said mounting element extends in mounting position underneath an upper edge of said carrier structure.
 8. The furniture system according to claim 4, wherein the major part of said mounting element extends in mounting position underneath an upper edge of said carrier structure.
 9. The furniture system according to claim 5, wherein the major part of said mounting element extends in mounting position underneath an upper edge of said carrier structure.
 10. The furniture system according to claim 6, wherein in the mounting position of said mounting element said opening for receiving an appliance is arranged underneath said upper edge of said carrier structure.
 11. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein said carrier structure comprises a desktop that may be received in that slot-shaped opening at least in sections.
 12. The furniture system according to claim 2, wherein said slot-shaped opening extends substantially horizontally.
 13. A carrier structure for a furniture system, comprising at least three table legs and a connection frame, wherein said table legs are formed as cross profiles having two profile shoulders that face each other and expand at a profile end to form an edge run of said connection frame, said table legs having two further profile shoulders oriented perpendicular to an inner surface of said connection frame, wherein one of said two further profile shoulders abuts on said inner surface of said connection frame.
 14. The carrier structure according to claim 13, wherein said connection frame comprises a lug having a groove, wherein said lug extends substantially parallel to said inner surface of said connection frame and wherein said expanded profile shoulders may be received between said inner surface of said connection frame and said lug, in such a way that one of said further profile shoulders impinges said groove.
 15. The carrier structure according to claim 13, comprising a module that receives said connection frame at least in sections.
 16. The carrier structure according to claim 14, comprising a module that receives said connection frame at least in sections.
 17. The carrier structure according to claim 15, wherein said module is a desktop, a shelf-board, a kitchen work plate, a cabinet module or a kitchen module with utility sink and/or hearth.
 18. The carrier structure according to claim 16, wherein said module is a desktop, a shelf-board, a kitchen work plate, a cabinet module or a kitchen module with utility sink and/or hearth. 